Others were not so considerate. With a savagery often found among thoughtless but not necessarily ill-intentioned boys, they frequently discussed his "going back on his team,” as they expressed it, in Roy's presence, with an almost brutal unreserve.
“If I could play ball as you do, Henning,” said a coarse-grained youth named Stockley, one day, “I would call myself a dog in the manger.”
“And why, please?”asked Henning, who was by this time getting used to such talk from those whose opinion he did not value.
“The old reason. A bird that can sing and won't sing, ought to be made to sing. The honor of the college is at stake.”
“Your motto has no application in this case," replied Henning. “If I do any injustice to any one by not playing ball, then I ought to be the bird who should be made to sing. But I think you will have some difficulty in proving that I am acting against justice. As to the honor of the college being at stake, in that you know as well as I do, if you have any sense at all, that you are talking sheer nonsense.”
“I don't know whether I am,” sneered Stockley. "I am not the only one who thinks there is a nigger
in the woodpile in this affair. Your cousin was saying only this morning that he could tell the boys something why you will not play ball that would make things mighty ugly for you.”
“Now look here, Stockley,” said Henning warmly, "you go and mind your own business and leave me and Garrett alone or—or it will be decidedly unpleasant for you.”
Stockley, coarse as he was, was observant. He saw Henning's fist close tightly, and he observed the muscles of his arm swell up for a minute. He discreetly moved some paces away.
“When I want your advice upon my conduct," continued Henning, “I will ask it. Till then, mind your own affairs, and keep your tongue from wagging too freely about mine.”